Delaware Linebacker Paul Worrilow Lands Spot on The Sports Network All-American Football Team

Courtesy: Delaware Athletics
Release: 12/10/2012

PHILADELPHIA -- University of Delaware senior Paul Worrilow (at right), who led the Blue Hen football team in tackles each of the last three seasons and ranked among the national leaders in that category this fall, has earned a spot on The Sports Network NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision All-American third team.

Worrilow, a two-time team captain from Wilmington, Del. (Concord High School) and a two-time first team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, was one of 97 student-athletes, including 14 linebackers, honored on the three teams. The teams are selected by the TSN staff in consultation with conference leagues offices.

He becomes the 41st player in UD history to earn TSN All-American honors and the first since offensive lineman and current Baltimore Ravens player Gino Gradkowski earned first team honors last season. Worrilow is the first Blue Hen linebacker to be honored by TSN since Dan Mulhern earned second team honors in 2002. Delaware has now had at least one player earn All-American honors 10 times in 11 seasons under head coach K.C. Keeler.

Worrilow, who earned All-CAA honors three times during his career, closed out his brilliant career with the Blue Hens in impressive style during the 2012 campaign. Although the Hens struggled to a 5-6 record, Worrilow was outstanding throughout the campaign as he recorded a team-high 107 tackles (57 solo) to go with three quarterback sacks, nine tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. As team, Delaware ranked No. 2 in the CAA in rushing defense, allowing just 134.2 yards per game.

His average of 10.7 tackles per game led the Colonial Athletic Association and currently ranks 15th in the nation at the NCAA FCS level. He recorded 10 or more tackles six times during the season, including a career-high 18 vs. Delaware State on Sept. 8. He also had 13 stops vs. Old Dominion and 12 each against West Chester, Towson, and Villanova.

Worrilow finished his career with 377 total tackles, 33.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, eight pass breakups, and four forced fumbles. He ranks No. 5 all-time in tackles in Delaware history and No. 11 in tackles for loss.

Highlighting the list for the CAA were first teamers in quarterback Taylor Heinicke of Old Dominion, offensive lineman Earl Watford of James Madison, and linebacker Matt Evans of New Hampshire, and defensive back Cooper Taylor of Richmond.

Other CAA players selected were fullback Kendall Gaskins of Richmond, linebacker Stephon Robertson of James Madison, and defensive back B.W. Webb of William & Mary on the second team and Towson defensive end Frank Beltre, defensive tackle Chris Burnette of Old Dominion, defensive tackle Jared Smith of New Hampshire, and defensive back Jordan Dangerfield of Towson on the third team.